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TIP #1: ARE YOU REWARDING YOUR DOG OR YOURSELF?When rewarding your dog, don't confuse your fun with the dog's fun. Get in the habit of carefully observing your dog's response to your rewards, but also observe his response to training overall. Does he quickly engage with you any time you initiate a training session? Or does he dodge your gaze and wander off when he hears you call, or sees you gathering your training equipment? If he responds with the latter, you need to rethink your sessions. - excerpted from the Whole Dog Journal

TIP #2: CRATE CRAZYDoes your dog get crazy when you leave him out of the crate when you get home? Try the following. First, the time to practice is when your dog has been out of the crate and is relatively calm. Put him in the crate, close the door, open the crate door and, when he steps out, have him sit followed by a food reward and praise. Now, put your dog back into the crate and repeat this 10 times a session, several times a day until this calm crate exiting strategy becomes a habit. Remember to be calm yourself when greeting your dog.